Jason Hayward has announced that he will put his name forward to be the next leader of the Progressive Labour Party — and he has the full support of Zane DeSilva, the Deputy Premier.

Delivering the keynote speech at the party’s Founders Day event at CedarBridge Academy yesterday, Mr Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, said that he was ready to lead.

He said: “I am prepared by experience, I am prepared by struggle and I am prepared by service.”

He said he did not make the decision to run for party leader lightly, adding: “I make it grounded in service, I make it grounded in justice, I make it grounded in solidarity.”

Mr Hayward called Mr DeSilva onto the stage, stating: “We discussed how we can collectively build together, and I am humbled that my brother, the deputy leader, has indicated to me and pledged his support, his full support, to me running as leader.”

Mr Hayward said that in discussions with his colleagues and party members, it was clear that members wanted unity. He urged the party not to slide into division and for members to build the future of the PLP together.

“Let us move forward united, let us move forward with focus, let us move forward determined. Too many people rely on us to get it right.

“Where hope is lost, let us restore hope. Where there is a lack of confidence, let us restore confidence. Let us exemplify excellence in the execution and delivery of our work. Our people deserve and they expect nothing less.”

Mr DeSilva told attendees that his decision to support Mr Hayward came as part of his commitment to support younger party members.

He said: “I made a promise at three different speeches to our delegates that I would empower and encourage youth.

“Alexa Lightbourne [the Minister of Home Affairs] earlier mentioned looking up and seeing a lot of people like me, seniors. For those of you who may not know, I am now a senior.”

The PLP is expected to elect a new leader in October as David Burt has already announced that he will be stepping down as Premier in 2026.

Mr DeSilva said last year that his own aspirations to become PLP leader were the “worst-kept secret in Bermuda” and he later emerged victorious in a three-way contest in March 2025 to become deputy leader of the PLP, while Curtis Dickinson, a former Minister of Finance, had been discussed as a potential candidate for the role.

The Royal Gazette was tipped off last February that Mr Hayward could possibly have leadership ambitions but another source said he had ruled himself out.

Mr Dickinson unsuccessfully challenged Mr Burt in 2022.

Mr Hayward comes from a union background, serving as the president of the Bermuda Public Services Union from 2014 to 2019 and the president of the Bermuda Trade Union Congress.

He was appointed to the Senate in 2017, serving as the Junior Minister of Education, Health, Labour, Community Affairs and Sports.

Mr Hayward later won a seat in the House of Assembly in 2019, defeating the One Bermuda Alliance’s Dwayne Robinson in Pembroke Central in a by-election held after the death of Walton Brown.

He ran uncontested in the seat in 2020 and defeated the OBA’s Sophia Cannonier in the 2025 General Election by 294 votes to 132. Ricardo Nesbitt gained 64 votes and Rolfe Commissiong won 52.

In 2023, David Burt rebuked Mr Hayward for stating he does not need the votes of people who complained they had not been canvassed by him.

In his keynote speech tonight, Mr Hayward said that in 1963 the party's founders came together to ensure that all Bermudians had a voice.

He said: "Sixty-three years ago, they planted a seed. A seed of fairness for workers, a seed of dignity for those long denied opportunities, a seed of equality rooted in the belief that Bermuda belongs to all of us, not just a few.

"Our founders planted that seed knowing that seeds do not grow overnight. They understood that seeds require patience, they require tending, they require sacrifice."

Mr Hayward said it was the collective responsibility to nurture the next generation of leaders, listen to the community and confront inequalities with the same courage of conviction that was shown by the party's founders.

He added: "If they could plant a seed in rocky soil, we can certainly cultivate progress in fertile ground."

Five community leaders were honoured in the Drum Major Awards at the Founders Day celebration. They were Mickey Robinson, Cecille Snaith-Simmons, Norette Simmons, Barbara Dillas and Terry Ann Smith. They were recognised for their service and leadership that reflect a commitment to fairness, opportunity and social progress.